Mobile World Congress is chock full of device announcements and product details, but as with any trade show, the most interesting news always comes from the CEOs and Vice President-types behind the biggest names in the industry. Google’s Andy Rubin sat down with reporters at MWC this year, the topic of the day being Google’s acquisition of Motorola. Rubin wasn’t shy when it came to sharing his feelings on the acquisition, leaving the press with a handful of quotes on how Google will manage their newly acquired company.

Andy Rubin was, and still is, a supporter of Google’s acquisition of Motorola. But now that the deal is nearing completion, he doesn’t want anything to do with the big M. Speaking with reporters at Mobile World Congress yesterday, Rubin said he “sponsored” the deal in its earlier stages, but has completely backed away at this point. In turn, Google will essentially take the same route.

With long time Googler Dennis Woodside taking control of the reigns over at Motorola, Rubin said he was “painfully aware” of doubts that Google and Motorola will still operate as two separate entities, but that Google has “literally built a firewall” between the companies. Rubin continued on to say that he has absolutely no idea what Motorola is doing hardware or software wise, saying “I don’t even know anything about their products… They’re separate from me, and I’m going to continue to do my thing.”

Of course, Google’s decision to operate the two companies apart from each other has a lot to do with fostering a competitive environment with other Android manufacturers. Fierce competition is what’s led Android to where it is now and what’s put Motorola into the position it’s in today. Rubin wrapped up his time with reporters by saying that, “Even if I was completely insane, it wouldn’t make any sense for me to think that we could get Motorola to be 90-plus percent marketshare. It just isn’t gonna happen.” Well said, Andy. Well said.

Most Tweeted This Week

I wonder how much of this is Google trying to help their partners fell better about the acquisition and how much of it is solid truth? I’m sure there’s both in there.

Here’s to hoping this stays true. The last thing we need is for them to back down on the plans to keep them separate!

spazby

agreed. google needs to keep up the rhetoric about being separate but in reality down the line, they will start slowly influencing what comes out of motorola…

http://www.focuszonedevelopment.com Homncruse

Don’t they have that same influence about what comes out of every manufacturer?

It’s all in the competition. Google gives the new software features to make things More Awesome, manufacturers give new hardware features to make things More Awesome, other manufacturers keep up with the new hardware features to stay competitive.

The game hasn’t changed…

http://mihai.discuta-liber.com/ tmihai20

If this is what Andy Rubin feels about the acquisition, then why did they buy Motorola? What are the benefits for Google? Is Motorola just a company they invested a little more than usual? I believe Mr. Rubin statements. I’ve just had a weird feeling reading this article, not good, not bad, just weird. It’s not like Google was forced to acquire Motorola… Or were they?

Dags -

Google inherits a bucketload of patents – including a few juicy ones to hold over Microsoft – and a chance to get Google TV into every living room in the US by buying the biggest STB manufacturer. What’s not to like? Also, neither of these have anything to do with Andy’s job so it’s not surprising that he doesn’t care.

http://www.jaxidian.org/update/ jaxidian

Yeah, like Dags said. It was *all about the patents*.

krazytrixxxsta

have you been living under a rock? it no secret that google only reason for acquiring moto mobility is for it vast amount of patents.

Dan

All I care about is the Nexus program.. so for me this is a good thing. It keeps competition strong and ensures that the next Nexus will be a solid piece of hardware!

txbluesman

Sounds like a business move to me. Not a bad thing.

oddball

As good as this is for the ecosystem I really wish it wasn’t true. I would much prefer to see Moto hardware paired with vanilla Android. The overlay from Motorola has gotten better but it’s still not on par with what is offered as a basic part of the os with the exception of their email client. Motorola hardware on the other hand is second to none when when they use high quality screens.

http://www.focuszonedevelopment.com Homncruse

As much as I’d like to see more vanilla devices too, I don’t think a strong-arm from Google is the way to make that happen.

Speak with your wallet.

delinear

Doesn’t necessarily have to be strong arm but it would be nice to see some leading by example. If Google could use Moto to show others how to use the pure Android experience and still make money then everyone could benefit.

alexanderharri3

A needed more…..Nexus is vanilla (but they really need to release one for ALL carriers…) and a Moto/Google full partnership would raise even more antitrust and seriously discourage other manufacturers…gotta keep it competitive.

GeauxLSU

I don’t think the other manufacturers would be able to complain about a full Moto/Google partnership if they only release vanilla devices. That option is open to every manufacturer, but none of them choose to do it. I think the problem will be if Google develops some bells & whistles that they only make available to Moto.

If the Google software people are creating the updates for the Moto hardware people, and it’s not stock Android, then Moto is getting a huge competative advantage over the other manufacturers by being able to offer the quickest updates.

What I think would be perfect is if Moto would release phones with stock Android, and put their UI enhancements into apps available in the market exclusive to Moto phones. Then when an update is released, they can hurry up and update the drives and make it available to the public, then start working on making any changes to their apps that are necessary for them to work with the new release.

thel0nerang3r

Any bells and whistles would have to be introduced through MotoBlur, if Google wanted them for Motorola only. They have been posting the source code for Android, not likely to omit code from there.

Hall Lo

Good that Google is trying to keep the competition, and it’s good to hear Andy’s response. Very well, Andy :D

cristian cristiandonose

Come on people, do you think they dont have a plan? Do you think they spent all that money for nothing?

Steve Barry

I think they spent all that money for a substantial patent portfolio. Whether or not Google and Motorola become one remains to be seen. I personally don’t think it will happen, at least, not anytime in the next few years. Too many relationships they already have, namely with Samsung. I don’t think you’ll see Motorola sporting straight Nexus devices like Apple does. Obviously, Apple owns both hardware and software side of their game, while Google (currently) only controls the software. This enables them to own both, but I don’t see that happening, as stated, anytime soon.

Ps3y3Ops

Google obviously didn’t buy Motorola to choke competition between manufacturers. They know that innovation does not exist with one, but many. Google is also much more than just Android, let’s not forget that!

WlfHart

Indeed!

Jeremy Sheehan

Eventually Google will roll in Motorola into their brand. It’s going to happen and at that point, I hope it will really supercharge Android.

cwjones4

I’m glad to hear this. now if they could only find a way to streamline the update process for everyone…

CJ LaFleur

Way to go Andy!

Y314K

Andy Rubin should prove this by making a updated Asus PadPhone the next Nexus device…

honourbound68

after the acquisition is complete, i wonder if or when moto will unlock their bootloaders?

Richard Yarrell

I applaud Andy Rubin for expressing his thoughts and feeling concerning this matter. Google needs to keep both seperate that is what will be best for all parties involved.

KRS_Won

But, but.. everyone wants a Moto with an unlocked boot loader. This might be the only way to get it ;-)

aranea

I’m actually disappointed. I want Google not to favor Motorola to keep competition up but I really wanted them to influence Motorola’s production strategy, to get rid off Blur and to get the software upgrades coming faster. Motorola suffers on all three aspects. Well maybe Dennis Woodside will change that.

h0ruza

I bet Andy is sick to the back teeth of answering the same question over and over again.

It’s the same stance he had from the beginning only with a stronger tone to it especially after that old, out of touch and limelight hungry spokeswoman spouted nonsense about the deal done time ago.

The nexus phone fills it’s role for Google, Android and the many OEM partners so why would Google commit business suicide?

Hollyw0od

They “literally” built a firewall?

Nice.

droidologist

You answer is to much help me. that is nice article. but ndroid Firewall is the perfect solution for controlling data usage on limited data plans and other mobiles, google mobiles. see moreVisit droidologist!